Green List Careers & PR Pathways in New Zealand

Green List Careers and PR in New Zealand

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New Zealand identified a pressing need for skilled professionals and created the Green List—a roster of occupations urgently needing global talent due to local shortages.

Choosing a Green List career not only opens up expedited visa processing and prioritization but also sets a clear path to permanent residency in New Zealand. Whether you’re eyeing a straight-to-residence role or leveraging work-to-residence opportunities, these high-demand professions span sectors from healthcare to engineering, ensuring your skills contribute directly to New Zealand’s growing needs.

Anaesthetist
Chemical engineer
Civil engineer
Civil engineering technician
Clinical psychologists and psychologists
Construction project manager
Electrical engineer
Electrical engineering technician
Electronic engineering technician
Electronics engineer
Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified
Environmental engineer
Environmental research scientist
Food technologist
General practitioner
Geotechnical engineer
ICT managers (minimum salary NZ$120,000)
ICT security specialist (minimum salary NZ$120,000)
Industrial engineer
Materials engineer
Mechanical engineer
Medical laboratory scientist
Multimedia specialists (minimum salary NZ$95,000)
Orthoptist
Other medical practitioners (including dermatologist, gynaecologist, obstetrician, ophthalmologist, radiation oncologist and diagnostic and interventional radiologist)
Other spatial scientist
Physicist (medical)
Production or plant engineer
Project builder
Psychiatrist
Quantity surveyor
Resident medical officer
Software engineer (minimum salary NZ$120,000)
Specialist physicians not elsewhere classified
Structural engineer
Surgeons (Including cardiothoracic surgeon, general surgeons, neurosurgeon, otorhinolaryngologist, orthopaedic surgeon, vascular surgeon and urologist)
Surveyor
Telecommunications engineers
Telecommunications network engineers
Veterinarian

After a person has spent two years working in one of the following roles, eligible migrants can apply for residency.

All registered nurses (including aged care)
Anaesthetic technician
Audiologist
Automotive electrician
Dairy farm managers
Diesel motor mechanic (including heavy vehicle inspector)
Medical imaging technologist
Medical laboratory technician
Medical radiation therapist
Midwife
Occupational therapist
Plumber – registered
Podiatrist
Registered electrician (general)
Sonographer
Secondary school teachers with specialisations and registered ECE
Pressure Welder
Metal Fabricator
Welder
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Panel Beater
Vehicle Painter
Paving Plant Operator

Aiming for a Green List career? Your academic pursuit in New Zealand not only positions you for a high-demand role but also qualifies you for post-study work rights, propelling you toward permanent residency. To qualify, your study must align with Green List needs, ranging from tertiary degrees to specific vocational qualifications.

Ensure your chosen role aligns with either tier one or two of the Green List.
Meet the specific qualifications and work experience requirements.
Secure full-time employment (at least 30 hours a week) from an accredited employer.
Be under 55 and meet English language, health, and character requirements.

As of 2025, work-to-residence visas are open with newly added trade roles, while straight-to-residence options continue for Tier 1 roles. Navigate your application online via a RealMe account, submitting necessary documents like IELTS scores, health proofs, and employment offers.

Let Saga Studies be your compass to a Green List career and future in New Zealand. From selecting the right qualification to navigating your application maze, we’re here to turn your New Zealand dream into reality. Ready to start? Reach out today, and let’s make your Green List aspirations to life in the land of the long white cloud.